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      Mass Effect Legendary Edition now playable on Linux with Proton GE

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Monday, 17 May, 2021 - 15:04 · 2 minutes

    The big new release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition from BioWare and EA is only supported for Windows on PC, but with Proton GE you should now be able to play it on Linux. Should being the keyword, as Proton can be a little fiddly at times.

    If you're not clear on what Proton and Steam Play are, be sure to check out our constantly updated dedicated page . It's a special compatibility layer for running Windows games and apps from Steam on Linux. Proton GE is the community-made version which has a number of extras.

    Proton-6.8-GE-2 is officially out now with these changes:

    • Mass Effect Legendary Edition Launcher and ME1 fixes added. All 3 games should be playable.
    • DOOM Eternal should no longer hang and resolution change should work again
    • Forza Horizon 4 frequency patch added, however this does not seem to improve the crashing :/
    • RE8 REENGINE Logo audio is fixed and no longer plays static (game is still crashy)
    • RE8 Display menu fixes ported from proton experimental
    • Nioh 2 hang fixed (videos still don't play)
    • Fallout: New Vegas audio looping fixed
    • 2k Launcher fixes ported from proton experimental (fixes mafia, mafia II, and others)
    • Yakuza 0 - fsync disabled (thanks tgurr!)
    • Yakuza Kiwami - fsync disabled (thanks tgurr!)
    • LEGO The Lord of the Rings d3dx9_41 override added (thanks alkazar and FigoFrago!)

    Also of note is that you may need to remove your Wine/Proton prefix for Persona 4 Golden to work, see how to do that in our previous article .

    To use it here's what you do:

    1. Download the Proton-6.8-GE-2.tar.gz file from the release notes .
    2. If this folder does not exist, create it: ~/.steam/root/compatibilitytools.d/
    3. Extract the archive downloaded in Step 1, and place the contents into the above directory.
    4. Restart Steam if it's open which refreshes the Steam Play list for Proton-6.8-GE-2 to show up.
    5. Right click on your game, go to Properties, Compatibility and ensure the box is ticked named "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool" then select it from the dropdown box that appears.

    Want to see how Mass Effect Legendary Edition runs on Linux with Proton GE? See below:

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    Note: the stuttering you see is pretty common for running Windows games through Proton, as it needs to manually build up a cache to pull from. Usually not an issue on Windows, as games are directly made for it and build it themselves. Over time it becomes smoother and this is what the Steam Shader Pre-Caching system is supposed to be helping with.

    Spoiler alert though for older players: apparently the face of Tali was changed from a stock photo you could see in-game to a unique and more appropriate image, it does make me laugh that such a small change has generated big headlines across the major gaming sites.

    For me, Mass Effect is one series that holds an immensely special place. I played through the entire series back when I was a big console gaming fan (before truly diving fully into Linux) and I loved the story and the whole experience. Being able to do it again, enhanced and on Linux is just beautiful.

    You can buy it on Steam , just remember though that running it in this way on Linux is not actually supported. The usual caveats apply: it can break any time and the developer doesn't need to ensure it continues working this way.

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      System76 releases the open source Launch Configurable Keyboard

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Thursday, 13 May, 2021 - 16:03 · 3 minutes

    Ready for your next keyboard? How about one that's properly open source and looks quite fantastic? System76 has today properly revealed and released the Launch Configurable Keyboard.

    Sticking to their ethos, they've launched the Launch as a fully open source unit. This includes the hardware ( certified by the OSHWA ), firmware and configuration tooling all as open source and firmware updates can be done directly through LVFS but it's not forced - it's up to users if they want to update the firmware.

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    While System76 remains a Linux vendor selling their custom Thelio desktops, laptops and they continue with their Pop!_OS Linux distribution - this is their first to be fully compatible with Windows and macOS too. System76 created the System76 Keyboard Configurator app to allow fully customization of the keyboard layout - with changes saved to they keyboard so you can take it anywhere.

    “Launch with macOS and Windows 10 is a phenomenal, high-end keyboard with a comfortable feel and unique high-speed USB hub,” said Carl Richell, CEO of System76. “Combined with Pop!_OS and, in particular, auto-tiling, the hardware and OS blend into a holistic desktop experience that's faster and easier to navigate.”

    Just like their Thelio computers, the Launch is custom-built in their own facility in Denver, CO. Featuring a chassis
    milled out of a solid block of aluminium, as well as a custom PCB (printed circuit board). Created for customization, it comes with a set of red, blue, or brown keycaps to get it how you want it. It also has runner feet to keep it still, along with a magnetic foot for an optional 15% incline.

    "With a wide swath of customization options, the Launch is flexible to a variety of needs and use cases. The keyboard’s thoughtful design keeps everything within reach, vastly reducing awkward hand contortions. Launch comes with additional keycaps and a convenient keycap puller, meaning one can swap keys based on personal workflow preferences to maximize efficiency. Launch also features a novel split Space Bar, which allows the user to swap out oneSpace Bar keycap for Shift, Backspace, or Function to reduce hand fatigue while typing. Launch uses only three keycap sizes to vastly expand configuration options." — System76.

    Check out our gallery of pictures below, click the image to view more along with some close-ups of the switches:

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    Ever feel like "I don't need it but I need it"? I've got that right now. Although, I'm not sure how I would cope without the trust numpad. Would be interested to know in the comments how many of you never use the numpad though, does it bother you it doesn't have one?

    System76 Launch Configurable Keyboard Specifications:

    Chassis System76 Open Source milled chassis design
    Detachable lift bar to adjust keyboard angle by 15 degrees
    Electronics System76 Open Source PCB design
    Individually addressable RGB LED backlighting
    N-Key Rollover
    Sockets and Switches Kailh MX Hotswap Sockets
    Kailh Box Jade or Kailh Box Royal Switches
    Key Caps PBT plastic
    Dye sublimated legend
    XDA profile
    Layout ANSI US QWERTY
    Custom Configuration Customize layout and lighting in firmware with the System76 Keyboard Configurator
    Available on Linux, Windows, and macOS
    Integrated Hub 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C (Up to 10 Gbps)
    2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A (Up to 10 Gbps)
    Connectivity Wired, with detachable USB cable (USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C cables included)
    Dimensions 12.17′′ × 5.35′′ × 1.3′′ (309mm x 136mm x 33mm)
    Weight 2.09 lbs (948g)
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    Available to pre-order from May 13, 2021 with shipping starting in June - with a price of $285. We're hoping to see a review unit at some point to give our thoughts.

    Check it out on the official site .

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      The absolutely awesome action-platformer shooter HUNTDOWN is out now for Linux

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Thursday, 13 May, 2021 - 13:55 · 2 minutes

    After some time of being an Epic exclusive, HUNTDOWN has now released on GOG and Steam making it available for Linux from developer Easy Trigger Games. Note: personal purchase.

    Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. It's insane - in the best way possible. It reminds me of Broforce for the over the topic action, which remains as my all time favourite action platformer. However, HUNTDOWN is already looking like it might end up taking the number 2 slot - it's just that good.

    "In the mayhem-filled streets of the future where criminal gangs rule and cops fear to tread, only the bounty hunters can free the city from the corrupt fist of felony. Lay waste to the criminal underworld and make a killing in this hard boiled action comedy arcade shooter."

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    Featuring hand-painted gorgeous 16-bit styled pixel-art, it's an absolute feast for the eyes combined with the incredible fluid action back up by the pumping soundtrack. The voice acting is absolutely spot on too, fits in perfectly with each character. It's weapons and boss battles that make it ridiculously enjoyable though with such a fantastic mix available. Small guns, shotguns, machine guns, huge mounted weapons, a guitar, a bat and the list goes on - blowing things up just feels seriously epic here.

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    Characters available:

    • Anna Conda: Ex-commando, firearms expert, and full-time loose-cannon, Anna will assassinate without question or mercy, as long as you don’t mind the collateral damage.
    • John Sawyer: Once a Special Forces cop who left the law behind. This scarred veteran has lost so many limbs in combat he’s practically half robot.
    • Mow Man: Modified recon droid, stolen and empowered with banned software. Trades bodies for cold hard cash. Don’t expect to be taken alive if Mow Man’s on your six.

    Gangs to take on:

    • Hoodlum Dolls: Violent feral punks winning the gang war with the toothless authorities
    • Misconducts: Organised hockey hooligans, experts in robbery and extortion with a penchant for explosives
    • The Heatseekers: Murderous motorcycle club. These rockabilly villains style themselves on the centurions of Ancient Rome
    • NO.1 Suspects: Masters of discipline and organised crime. Martial arts experts, these slick psychopaths control the night through their casinos and nightclubs

    It's an easy recommendation to go get it. Honestly it was love at first sight with HUNTDOWN. Not just because I grew up with similarly styled games but HUNTDOWN is close to perfection. As for the Linux version? Absolutely great! You just can't help but small and maniacally laugh as you blast your way through it. If you loved games like Metal Slug, and other similar explosive experience do check it out. In a word — fantastic.

    You can buy it on GOG and Steam .

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      Political grand-strategy game Realpolitiks II is out now with Linux support

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Thursday, 13 May, 2021 - 09:56 · 2 minutes

    Realpolitiks II from Jujubee S.A. and publisher 1C Entertainment has left Early Access, and they've also released a Linux build along with it.

    A modern twist on the classic grand-strategy genre, as you take control of any contemporary nation in an attempt to assert dominance among the global superpowers so it's obviously a highly political game. Develop your country’s economy, technology and army; use your diplomatic skills, build an impressive spy network and get ready to fight major global threats such as terrorism, pandemics or famine. Build powerful alliances, wage wars on your enemies and achieve greatness! It expands in the first game in a lot of ways, enhancing all the features of the previous game and adding in many more options to expand.

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    Features:

    • Dominate the Globe - Choose from 216 contemporary nations (including Sealand & Kiribati) and conquer your opponents. Adapt your strategy accordingly whether you start as a superpower or a small independent nation.
    • New Modern Warfare - A brand-new combat system enables full control of your units on the battlefield while taking into account strategic advantages such as the weather, terrain, equipment, and a whole lot more.
    • Expanded Management System - Create a communist utopia, a completely free market nation, or become a tyrant overseeing your citizens’ every step. With over 1000 projects and technologies to choose from, you decide the path to greatness.
    • Improved Diplomacy - Engage in advanced negotiations to establish new trade routes or military access to neighboring regions. With a completely reworked AI, and new Favor and Investment systems that allow you to influence other countries - diplomacy becomes a crucial tool once again, especially as other leaders will prove hard negotiators.
    • Advanced Espionage - Conduct clandestine actions with your spies, steal breakthrough technologies to further increase your military power, and invent new ways of mass destruction. Dominate your foes from the shadows.
    • New and Unpredictable Events - Over 1000 new events ranging from minor provincial issues to a world-threatening meteor strike. Be wary of the ever-changing world as each playthrough will be completely different.
    • Growth By Infrastructure - Buildings are a major part of your campaign as they enable you to recruit more units, train your spies and generals faster, defend against rocket attacks, or increase the supply range to your armies.
    • Modding Tool - Use a plethora of in-game tools to create your very own campaigns, scenarios, units, and nations.

    You can buy it from GOG , Humble Store and Steam .

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      Hobo: Tough Life is an urban co-op survival game where you're on the streets

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Wednesday, 12 May, 2021 - 12:11 · 1 minute

    Games about being homeless aren't new but they're still quite surprising when actually done well, and Hobo: Tough Life actually seems like a reasonably good experience. Note : key provided by the developer.

    "Welcome to Praslav, a cold Central European city that grows even colder with the coming winter. Praslav is recovering from the political turmoil that followed the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Communist regime, which held the country in its iron grip for decades.

    While most people eagerly awaited the coming of democracy and capitalism, some were unable to adapt to the new socio-economic climate. Soon they found themselves on the streets with nowhere to go.

    You are one of those people."

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    A setting that's not particularly nice to explore but that's part of the point. For a lot of people, this is their actual life every day. Playing it for fun though feels a bit weird but video games have gone to much worse places. As rough a setting as it is, the game though is somewhat enthralling - partly because I've never experienced what these people go through, although I see it all the time even around my own area.

    It seemingly has it all. A full skill system to level up, a big open world to explore, a lock picking mini-game to steal goods which drops your morale, use scratch-cards to try and win some change. Your mission is to survive, and build up your own shelter piece by piece. Your not some hero though, there's no special powers here, everything needs to be done with thought and consideration for your basic survival.

    Seems it's hit a small fanbase on Steam with the most recent user reviews giving it a "Very Positive" rating.

    The Linux version seems to run reasonable well, with it running mostly smoothly on Max settings but it does stutter here and there when entering new areas as it loads bits in. Overall though, perfectly playable. You can play it solo or online in co-op with friends.

    You can buy Hobo: Tough Life on Steam .

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      Try out the new teaser for Drova - Forsaken Kin, an upcoming 2D action RPG

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Tuesday, 11 May, 2021 - 19:56 · 1 minute

    After already being available on itch.io , the free teaser for Drova - Forsaken Kin is now available on Steam and it's been upgraded for the new release.

    "Drova - Forsaken Kin is an Action Based RPG filled with handcrafted open world adventures inspired by the much renowned Gothic game series. A society has discovered the power of a dead empire: to capture the spirits that govern nature and rule over them instead. However, the anger of the remaining spirits divided them. Where will you stand?"

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    Features:

    • Dynamic World
      Journey through a lovingly crafted world filled with danger and mysteries, and witness the lasting impact your actions will have on your environment.
    • A Divided Society
      Become a part of an isolated society grown from the ashes of a dead empire. Where will you stand when ambitious factions plunge the world into chaos?
    • The Spirits of Nature
      Explore nature and encounter the spirits that rule it. Seal them and learn to use their power for yourself. But be prepared for the consequences of their anger to change your world.

    The full version is planned to release in 2023, with this teaser being a very early slice of what to expect. The developer mentioned plenty is still to be added, graphics will be upgraded before the full game and so on - all the usual you expect from an unfinished game. Definitely worth a go now though, especially with the intriguing combat mechanics.

    Now that it's on Steam, even more people can try it out who missed it on itch, plus they said the teaser on Steam has some exclusive extra content. Check it out on Steam and itch.io .

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      NVIDIA launches the RTX 3050 and RTX 3050 Ti for laptops, supply shortages until 2022

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Tuesday, 11 May, 2021 - 11:32 · 1 minute

    It's not just Intel announcing new hardware today, as NVIDIA have now joined in with the RTX 3050 and RTX 3050 Ti for laptops. Currently, no desktop models have been announced as their focus is solely on mobile form factor. However, it's highly likely they will appear eventually.

    "The latest wave of laptops provides the perfect opportunity to upgrade, particularly for gamers and creators with older laptops who want to experience the magic of RTX,” said Mark Aevermann, director of product management for laptops at NVIDIA. “There are now five times more RTX 30 Series gaming laptops that are thinner than 18mm compared with previous-generation RTX systems, delivering groundbreaking performance with very sleek and portable designs."

    Pricing will start at $799 with no UK/EU pricing being given yet, we'll have to see what system builders come up with. NVIDIA claim this is targetting the "most mainstream audience" to offer 60FPS at 1080p in some quite demanding games with Ray Tracing on.

    Here's a specs comparison based on the press details sent:

    GPU (Laptop) RTX 3080 RTX 3070 RTX 3060 RTX 3050 Ti RTX 3050
    CUDA Cores 6144 5120 3840 2560 2048
    Tensor Cores 192 160 120 80 64
    Ray Tracing Cores 48 40 30 20 16
    Boost Clock 1245-1710 MHz 1290-1620 MHz 1283-1703 MHz 1035-1695MHz 1057-1740MHz
    GPU Subsystem Power 80-150W 80-125W 60-115W 35-80W 35-80W
    Memory 16GB / 8GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 6GB GDDR6 4GB GDDR6 4GB GDDR6
    Memory Interface Width 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 128-bit 128-bit

    NVIDIA also showed it off a little but as usual, it's Windows-focused:


    Also, NVIDIA also recently announced back in April that they expect GPU shortages to continue until at least 2022.

    We're expected a new NVIDIA driver release today too, as usual when new hardware is announced.

    Do you think you'll be looking to get one? Let us know in the comments.

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      Intel launches 11th Gen Core H-series mobile processors

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Tuesday, 11 May, 2021 - 11:16 · 1 minute

    Today Intel has formally announced and released the 11th Gen Core H-series mobile processors, for some next-gen performance in a smaller form factor for laptop users.

    "11th Gen Intel Core H-series processors take mobile gaming, content creation and commercial workstation systems to new heights. These new H-series processors are an exciting extension of our 11th Gen mobile family with double-digit single core and multi-core performance improvements, leading gameplay, direct attached storage and 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes for true enthusiast-level platform bandwidth. 11th Gen H-series is the industry’s most performant mobile processor that empowers users to game, create and connect with leadership performance at any enthusiast form factor." — Chris Walker, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the Mobile Client Platforms Group

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    Some of the features:

    • 20 PCIe Gen 4.0 lanes with Intel® Rapid Storage Technology bootable in Raid 0 — and up to 44 total PCIe lanes that include 24 PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes from a dedicated platform controller hub.
    • Memory support up to DDR4-3200.
    • Thunderbolt™ 4 with transfer speeds up to 40Gbps.
    • Discrete Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+).
    • Dual Embedded Display Port integrated for power optimized companion display.

    More features can be seen in the below image:

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    Intel also launched their Intel vPro® H-series processors for businesses today.

    As for availability, Intel said to expect "more than 80 enthusiast laptop designs" across various fields through this year. No exact dates were given as it largely depends on the manufacturers of each laptop to put them out. With the Xe graphics, they should be nice gaming units.

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      Social deduction hacking game Untrusted has left Early Access to positive reviews

      Liam Dawe · news.movim.eu / GamingOnLinux · Tuesday, 11 May, 2021 - 08:59 · 1 minute

    Inspired by the Werewolf/Mafia genre and similar games, Untrusted from developer evolvedlabs has now left Early Access and it seems it has done quite well.

    "In Untrusted (or “Untrusted – Web of Cybercrime”), hackers from the fictional NETSEC group are tasked in hacking a specific server on a computer network. NETSEC members must use their skills and wits to outsmart the undercover AGENTs that will try each night to perform arrests or have other players become snitches for them."

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    Features:

    • Hacking themed game focused on social interactions.
    • Hack into computers and analyze their log to find out who is telling the truth
    • Keep your personal log and cross-reference data to find out who are the undercover agents
    • An amazing, friendly community ready to welcome you
    • Multiple winning conditions for both factions: hack or murder your way to victory.
    • 2 Factions and many neutral classes
    • 23 Unique classes
    • More than 80 unique skills
    • Unlock avatars and badges as you win
    • No bogus IP addresses! All IP addresses are from RFC 5737, for all of us IT people :3
    • Discord integration

    For a niche experience given the interface and gameplay, it's managed to gain a nice following. With a few hundred user reviews on Steam giving it a Very Positive rating and it regularly sees a few hundred players online at any one time so for a game with no marketing it's doing okay.

    Also, you can claim an exclusive GamingOnLinux avatar! See our previous article for the link, you need to be logged in on GOL to claim the redeem code.

    Check it out on itch.io and Steam . It's free to play.

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